Why He Believes, The Reliability Of The Bible | Brandon | The Atheist Experience 548

The Atheist Experience 548 for April 13, 2008 with Matt Dillahunty and Tracie Harris.
Call the show on Sundays 4:30pm-6:00pm CT: 1-512-686-0279 or use your computer to save on long-distance charges: tiny.cc/callthe...
► Don't like commercials? Become a patron for ad-free content & more: / theatheistexperience
► Podcast versions of the show may be found at:
www.spreaker.c...
► Atheist Experience merch can be found at: bit.ly/aenmerch
► Become a KZbin member: / @theatheistexperience
► Join our discord:
tinyurl.com/Th...
► Chat room rules:
atheist-experie...
► The most up to date Atheist Experience videos can be found by visiting
atheist-experie...
-------
WHAT IS THE ATHEIST EXPERIENCE?
The Atheist Experience is a weekly call-in television show in Austin, Texas geared at a non-atheist audience. The Atheist Experience is produced by the Atheist Community of Austin.
The Atheist Community of Austin is organized as a nonprofit educational corporation to develop and support the atheist community, to provide opportunities for socializing and friendship, to promote secular viewpoints, to encourage positive atheist culture, to defend the first amendment principle of state-church separation, to oppose discrimination against atheists and to work with other organizations in pursuit of common goals.
We define atheism as the lack of belief in gods. This definition also encompasses what most people call agnosticism.
VISIT THE ACA'S OFFICIAL WEB SITES
www.atheist-com... (The Atheist Community of Austin)
www.atheist-exp... (The Atheist Experience TV Show)
► More shows and video clips can be found in the archive:
www.atheist-exp...
► DVDs of the Atheist Experience can be purchased via:
www.atheist-com...
NOTES
TheAtheistExperience is the official channel of The Atheist Experience. "The Atheist Experience" is a trademark of the ACA.
The views and opinions expressed by hosts, guests, or callers are their own and not necessarily representative of the Atheist Community of Austin.
Opening Theme:
Shelley Segal "Saved" www.shelleysega...
Limited use license by Shelley Segal
Copyright © 2011 Shelley Segal
Copyright © 1997 Atheist Community of Austin. All rights reserved.

[@lukewojtanowicz1991]

The Bible is very accurate, if thrown at close range.

[@chadrasmussen6127]

Lol

[@richiejohnson]

Classic!

[@ivydenver260]

I absolutely love this and can't believe I've never heard this before

[@richiejohnson]

@@ivydenver260 it never gets old

[@dersieborg5088]

...but now bonus added!

[@channelfogg6629]

What always amuses me is how believers spout what they've been told as if it is their own original thought.

[@winniepuuh7895]

Yeah, that's funny! "I HAvE a pERsOnaL RelAtionSHiP wiTh gOd" And then they tell exactly the same ghost-stories as every theist. 👻😁

[@brucebaker810]

OP is about brainless repetition. Thread gets invaded by "hey, just thought I'd mention...Service x is working great for me." and the guy that follows him around the internet, happening to agree. Funny.

[@richiejohnson]

@@brucebaker810 Shills

[@brucebaker810]

@@richiejohnson Bots

[@dgi7525]

@@winniepuuh7895 o

[@gloriannepapolis6525]

Two words: get educated

[@Latin-J]

Nah that’s too much work.

[@Bobalicious]

Brandon is far too easily impressed. The sign of a simple mind.

[@matthewmartens446]

It has nothing to do with intelligence though. Smart people are susceptible to false info.

[@Bobalicious]

@@matthewmartens446 You're absolutely correct. We must all stay vigilant.

[@tylercampbell6365]

It's in the simplistic that God is revealed..He confounds the wise with simple things..The problem is you think you're smart

[@Bobalicious]

@@tylercampbell6365 I only think I'm smart when compared to the faithful.

[@matthewmartens446]

@@tylercampbell6365 It's your pattern seeking brain and presuppositions that reveal god in the simple things.

[@cubencis]

Turns out if you just make stuff up and act like every other religion supports your religion then the bible is super consistent

[@donmiller2908]

Brandon: When I go outside, I look at trees, I look at dogs, I look at cats, but I don't look at books, especially science books. You needs to understand that when I plays? I plays hard, okay? And when I sits I sits loose, okay? and when I thinks I falls asleep.

[@ummmno3871]

Just in case anyone isn’t aware, Brandon’s only speaking for himself.

[@FourDeuce01]

So if you decide a book is reliable, then you have to accept whatever it says? If a “reliable” book says 2 + 2 = 55, then it must be true?😂

[@laz5590]

@Bouregarde Hipple Interesting view You have . I heard this taught about the eyes. I think you should call the show , would be an interesting conversation

[@ajclements4627]

@Bouregarde Hipple Tell us again you “expert in science/educated professional/retired millionaire physician” how volcanoes prove hell exists.

[@SamIAm-kz4hg]

@Bouregarde Hipple "The Bible is a fact." Yes, the Bible exists. The CONTENT of the Bible, though, is not even consistent within itself, much less with reality. "Creation necessitates a creator" This is a fallacy called Begging the Question. Only you think that someone had to create the universe. There are plenty of other hypotheses. "A firm example of intelligent design is the digestive system" You mean like the fact that we are "designed" with one passage for breathing and ingesting? Do you know that THOUSANDS of people choke to death because of this FLAW? You'd think that an all-knowing god could come up with a better system. "I think “ designed/created” is the key words here" We don't care what you think. You simply claimed this. Back to reality, we have evidence of Evolution, and that these things evolved together. Hence the shit design at times. Would you like to hear about some more shit designs? You're half baked in your knowledge and reasoning.

[@SamIAm-kz4hg]

@Bouregarde Hipple "No, there are no RATIONAL POSSIBLE hypotheses." 1st logical fallacy: Unless you have all of the knowledge of the world, you don't know what is or is not possible. People thought that diseases were evil spirits. We know now that they are microscopic. Simply because we do not have an answer, doesn't mean that your answer is correct, or that we may not one day have a good answer. "So "reality" for you is that a moist rock (or any other asinine atheist cause you care to name" 2nd logical fallacy: The Argument from Personal Incredulity. You think that your personal disbelief can be used as evidence of some kind. It can't. Give reason why you think it is impossible. 3rd logical fallacy: You thought that you would MAKE UP what my position is. I've not agreed to ANY of the things you just pulled out of your ass. The rest of what you wrote comes from ignorance. The "10 million DIFFERENT species" are as a result of Evolution. We have evidence for it. As a matter of fact, not only have we seen new species come into existence, but we've also been able to use artificial selection to create new species. You also seem ignorant of the incredibly bad "design" found in nature. I can go into more detail if you're too lazy to look this up. But the "design" in nature is also so bad that 99% of all species that have ever lived have gone extinct. So the vast majority of species were designed to fail? Really? Are you fucking for real?! "INTELLIGENCE, LOVE, CONSCIOUSNESS & MORALITY?" We actually know that intelligence is a function of brain size AND density of cortical neurons. This stuff has been studied. You seem ignorant of this fact. Love is a result of chemical reactions in the brain. Ah, again this has been studied extensively. There is no reason to think that consciousness and morality can't be naturally occurring things. Morality especially can be an Evolutionary trait that was selected for, given that it would be incredibly advantageous to highly social species. BTW, there is incredibly documented evidence of morality in a wide variety of other animals. "Could you be more lost and clueless?" The Argument from Personal Incredulity. "Just asking." No. You're trying to be a dick. At least I'm honest when I tell you to go fuck yourself ; ) Fucking moron. But have a nice day. So much fucking stupid in you.

[@winniepuuh7895]

Brandon, who, as he expressly emphasizes, thinks completely independently and speaks only and exclusively for himself, comes up with an unbeatable argument that lays the foundation for his archaic-magical worldview. Something completely new that no one has ever heard of or thought of before: "Look at the trees". 👻🌲👻🌳👻🌴👻 It doesn't get more pathetic than that.The team of Abrahamic gods is weakening more and more from season to season. The descent from the county league of folklore down to the league of forgotten jokes seems unstoppable. 📉👇⬇

[@adamchurvis1]

If you look at the trees long enough, you WILL eventually find god. He looks exactly like a little seven-year-old boy in short pants, and he sits on a lower branch and reads a comic book.

[@winniepuuh7895]

@@adamchurvis1 Christopher Robin? 🙂

[@Mr_Uni]

Drugs can help too

[@channelfogg6629]

'The team of Abrahamic gods is weakening more and more from season to season.' - Though unfortunately after we spent two centuries putting Christianity in its box we've now got Islam to deal with.

[@winniepuuh7895]

@@channelfogg6629 Cheap copies break much faster than branded products. And Islam is just a cheap copy.

[@chucknorris2266]

Young Matt is still a badass

[@generic-screen-name]

Matt had a lot more patience back then.

[@brucebaker810]

It was round 100 (for each question/fallacy). Not round 1000

[@generic-screen-name]

@@brucebaker810 Oh I definitely get why. But I think for the callers now they don't really get that, and they hear the impatience in his voice or him cutting them short, and I think they feel it's hostility. I don't blame him, I'd be the same way.

[@SPL0869]

“Why don’t we die when the sun goes down.” 😂😂😂😂

[@brucebaker810]

*dah

[@SPL0869]

@@richiejohnson spell check got me. It was meant to say “die”. I think Brandon may have called in and asked that question once before.

[@richiejohnson]

@@SPL0869 my apologies

[@tylercampbell6365]

Oh you're going to😂🔥😭

[@nikos831]

So does he "say wow that has to be desingned" whe he sees a cancer tumor or flesh eating bacteria? Just wondering

[@unturbe]

Matt makes such great points, but theists always miss the point or don’t listen at all. That’s why I’ve given up talking to theists. Too much effort to rise to Matt’s level of intelligence only to be ignored and dismissed.

[@laz5590]

Holy Christmas ! You are absolutely right

[@Brock_1025]

"For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don​'t believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

[@reasonablespeculation3893]

@@Brock_1025 That's a nonsense quote... We know that people, who have no factual backing, believe in Gods.. . But, less credulous people, who have seen NO evidence of Gods, and so cannot believe,,, would become believers if given "PROOF". Belief is not chosen. It emerges as a perspective on reality, after evidence is evaluated.

[@FourDeuce01]

@@Brock_1025 For those whose don’t understand logic, lying about other people always fails.

[@ianalan4367]

I often get Matt’s point. In fact I often agree. I don’t believe in the god Matt talks about either.

[@mikefromwa]

It's interesting to see that Matt's arguments have stayed the same and yet they've withstood thousands of deluded believer's attempts to explain them away. That should tell you something right there.

[@jeff6660]

Look at the trees to see God's handiwork...Hey Brandon, how about going down to the nearest children's cancer ward and look what your God has done to all the innocents there.

[@petyrkowalski9887]

If god is real, he is a vile cruel monster

[@MovieMakingMan]

Matt is wrong. I planted a Lamborghini seed in my garden and 4 months later I had a beautiful red Lamborghini in my back yard. God is good!

[@anyml153]

Brandon: god created me but forgot my brain.

[@elainejohnson6955]

Failed prophecies: Jesus said he was coming back in the lifetime of some of his disciples. He is about 2,000 years late! Tyre still exists. It was not destroyed in the time of Nebuchadnezzar!

[@Mewse1203]

If the Bible was a consistent miracle, there wouldn't be 45,000 different denominations

[@larjkok1184]

I crafted a poop this morning, I am a creator. I’m happy to post it to the caller so he can take a look at it.

[@fenrirhere]

The caller seems intelligent in the sense that he seems self aware, and is looking at different arguments and is willing to listen. He was just not quite there yet.

[@LuminesBreezer--]

every time he said 'i'm only speaking for me', did it make it clear that he knew about possibly walking on landmines down the road with Matt, but needed to clear his ass somehow in someway verbally.

[@suburban-vampire]

God is such a great designer he made people breath, eat, drink, and talk all through the same main orifice. This design choice virtually guarantees that some humans will die by choking for no real reason

[@jon1rene]

The chunky, mellower days...

[@Wolf.51.50]

Matt was much more patient with callers back then :-D

[@p1ranesi]

I suppose a further fourteen years of explaining the bleedin' obvious to idiots accounts for that change.

[@naomiandtommccabe]

The whole fulfilling biblical prophecy thing annoys me. The writers of the New Testament simply structured their work to fit in with the Old Testament claims with which they were familiar. We have no independent corroboration that any of these events occurred. For example, there’s no account of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on an ass or a colt or whatever besides the Bible. No contemporary mentioned it, nothing recorded anywhere. It’s just an unsubstantiated assertion designed to give credence to his supposed divinity. It’s like saying there was something miraculous that Harry Potter volume 7 was in concordance with volume 1. It was because JK Rowling wrote it to fit in with the original storyline.

[@kevinrmaguire2852]

Ask them if dirt must have a creator! Is it magical? Not to them, but actually yeah it’s pretty amazing what it does.

[@mrdontgothere]

People sat down and decided what books would go into the Bible. So to whatever extent there's continuity, it's completely unsurprising and unremarkable.

[@gheller2261]

Even if one were to credit that there was a creator, there is no reason to the leap of believing in Christianity. One has nothing to do with the other.

[@jillyb710]

The Bible wasnt written as one book!! The council of Nicea chose which books to put in and which books were out! St Jerome then published in Latin the book we know today in 450AD!!! So how can he talk about the bible flowing - it was put together by a council of men!!

[@Omerta-33-EE]

Yeah this caller is pretty typical, when it comes to defending the bable. I don't think it flows at all! and like you said it was not originally one book of stories. many did not even make the cut and were left out. very revealing ones!

[@jeremybentham3313]

It boggles the mind why an African American would follow the bible

[@channelfogg6629]

'It boggles the mind why an African American would follow the bible.' - Presumably the religion was forced onto his ancestors when they were enslaved. Every reason, I'd think, to reject it.

[@MRAJE1129]

"Once again this just me"!-Brandon

[@STGFilmmakers]

Ask callers to imagine themselves 4000 years ago. The entire world looked at naturally occurring phenomenon and celestial object and said exactly the same thing about them. “When I look at the sun, I think of Helios” “When I look at the beautiful ocean, I think of Poseidon” all Christians did was combine multiple gods into one.

[@Heathen.Deity.]

Assertion after assertion. Baseless claim after baseless claim. Fallacy after fallacy. Obviously I’m just speaking for myself on this call.

[@nathanielthomson6600]

This guy has no coherent reason for believing the bible.

[@andrewsgaming8230]

My dad basically has the same argument. I ask “why should I believe it? Convince me.” And he says “it’s faith” I’m like okay that’s enough for me to move on. And it’s not even exclusively Christianity. It’s all religions. They all claim truth, but only THEY are right. You know? That’s just clouded and crazy.

[@nathanielthomson6600]

@@andrewsgaming8230my father disowned me when I pointed out he has no good reasons for his faith. I don't speak to him anymore.

[@andrewsgaming8230]

@@nathanielthomson6600 I’m so sorry. Honestly you didn’t lose anything. He sounds sorry. What a sad parent. Some people never need to have kids cause they’ll suck ass at treating them

[@nathanielthomson6600]

@@andrewsgaming8230 at least I can take comfort in the fact that I'll be a better father than he ever was.

[@steensuder115]

"I don't mean that just insulting."

[@ryannickens7848]

old school vids, lovin it

[@sparki9085]

His whole argument is "because I said so" which, might just be the worst possible argument

[@Truth-Be-Told-USA]

Where did the trumpets in Revelation come from? Humans invented trumpets look it up? Did God steal the design? Makes zero sense. Think about it

[@justincredible.]

Stay away from the tree of knowledge, what ever you do..

[@brucebaker810]

Caller: Bible is so miraculously consistent. Therefore God. Matt: - early church burnt and destroyed competing versions - yet still massively inconsistent. Caller: Oh, but there's internal reasons to interpret that as not inconsistent... So once you're convinced it's miraculously consistent. And you either know it not at all or you've got the parts important to your denomination memorized. THEN you recognize the proof from consistency that's totally there now that you look at it with "discernment". Through the gauze of faith.

[@Herzeleydt_Diesentrueb]

"Elephants are kindly, but they're dumb..."

[@solaryon8711]

Matt's not making notes on that paper. He's playing theist argument bingo. As soon as the caller started talking, he ticked off the "design" box.

[@Arkloyd]

It's sad to hear a man defending the religion that was used to keep his ancestors in slavery.

[@Karl-Benny]

my god why have you forsaken me so Jesus had no Idea that God was Sacrificing him for the world

[@Omerta-33-EE]

Yeah this whole "Jesus is God" really makes no sense when you read passages in that bible. Why would he pray to himself? why would the devil be offering him something he already owns? Who would God have to sacrifice himself for what his creation did? why not just will it? there are other instances but those always got me.

[@rickyd.989]

I look at all the created things too. Like molten lava and volcanoes, like fault lines/tectonic plates that cause earthquakes and tsunamis that wipe out millions of people. Then I think what sort of a crazy creator would make all that?

[@brentmiller3951]

This guy always makes me glad I am not a brainwashed thiest

[@danemassie3750]

The days Matt still had patience is actually kinda boring. I like him a lot better now, seasoned and absolutely no time for bs

[@Korkzorz]

I suppose once you've heard "ooooh but look at the trees" too many times anyone would lose their patience eventually

[@pastpresent2223]

A coworker asked me if I believe everything I hear, I said yes. He said to me "you are an idiot" I said, I heard everything you just said, am I still an idiot?? But do you believe everything I said, I said, yes, I believe everything I hear you say. I couldn't say yes, if I were completely deaf. If I were deaf,. I couldn't hear anything you say, or believe anything you say, if I were deaf. The thing is , do I accept it. Believing what I hear and accepting what I hear are two different things.

[@ummmno3871]

Wut

[@MrPianoJames]

I don't think that's right. Believing something and accepting something are synonyms. It's the same thing.

[@Awakened_Mucacha]

The actual answer to 1: Is you were raised in or around it.

[@scream1237]

This caller and his wife who also is a pastor has a hilarious interview with jesse lee peterson…I recognize his voice because Ive watched it no less than 50 Xs….ABSOLUTE UNINTENTIONAL COMEDY GOLD!!!…(Type in pastor wife boss jesse lee)

[@missyoubeth]

Harris has the most attractive smile i have ever seen.

[@UberTheRandom]

LOL, Mat was so much more relaxed in these earlier videos.

[@robwolchek2265]

When you listen to bu**s*t for too long you may not be as calm as current Matt.

[@sparki9085]

"god created everything because it's obvious!" Isn't a very persuasive argument

[@paulcontursi5982]

How would Brandon explain the 4,000 genetic diseases???

[@markwoods4439]

Yes there is something greater than you. It’s called the universe, space and time it’s not a god.

[@theresawilliams4296]

If his curiosity is peaked to find out how things and how everything is created, why would he give up on looking for those answers and just say a god did it. I do think he is full of curiosity, but he is full of something else.

[@slimjim227]

The 2nd Century pagan writer Celsus, the critic of Christianity who first reported the story that Jesus was the illegitimate child of a Roman soldier, is known only through Origen’s critique of his work. For obvious reasons, Celsus’s own writings were not preserved by Christians and don’t exist today. (We can never know how much we will never know because of such censorship.)

[@Eric666morse]

I don’t think there were enough fucking ads in this video…

[@zendavesta1027]

If he’s a black man, he should not read exclusively the part about the lamb of god but exodus 21, invented and used to enslave his ancestors, and now he’s willing to ignore that and move on with this “book of a saviour”

[@rippedtorn2310]

Wonder if he still thinks in such silly ways .

[@2msystems740]

What we do as man is so miniscule in comparison to what {insert here your superhero, skydaddy, santa-claus, tooth fairy, and all other mythological gods} can do. The only problem is that some of us have such a limited brain capacity to conceptualize, understand, see and acknowledge this. Yup, pitiful human beings. It's time to realize your limitations and believe. There are many to choose from, anyone will do.

[@emordnilaps]

I like Matt's question at minute 5:40 . . . Do you think your basis for belief would convice me?

[@brucewilliams4152]

As a person who studied ancient history and archaeology, the bible isn't an accurate narrative even on history.

[@davidljohnson8514]

He forgot to mention the books that wasn't put in the bible.

[@marvinbone1379]

The more I listen to this podcast, and having heard dozens of "believers" here....the more bizarre, this christianity cult seems

[@TheQuietcount]

Surprisingly accurate for a bronze age book of myths. But still a book of fiction. Cognativ dissonance makes it hard for believers to see the contradictions but at the same time any evidence i will try and view subjectively knowing thst we tend to have a bias.

[@davidbelway6076]

Is a bird's nest a product of creative design? or is it a product of nature. Is a nuclear weapon a product of creative design? or did humans just mimic a force of nature? And are not humans a naturally occurring product of nature?

[@davidsmith7653]

Supposedly the Quran was written by 43 writers. That sounds as though it has the bible beat.

[@melkhiordarkfell4354]

So Kalab deleted his comments before I could respond to him supporting child abuse. Going to leave my reply anyway in case he wishes to exposes further immorality of his views. "So legality isn't morality. Abortion is legal so you consuder it moral? Also you never answered if it was moral or not. If you defend Aisha being abused, then it isn't "Objectively" immoral if you think it was okay for one man to bed a 9 year old but not others, you are making "Subjective" arguements based on different conditions, which is that morality is subjective. Do you think bedding a 9 year old Objectivly Immoral or Objectivly Moral? Simple A or B question."

[@kidslovesatan34]

Yes, he deleted his comments right after he claimed he didn't ever do that. Kebab - Pedophilia in the Qur'an The Qur'an permits pedophilia. The following Qur'anic verse allows sex with pre-pubescent girls who have not yet menstruated. And (as for) those of your women who have despaired of menstruation, if you have a doubt, their prescribed time shall be three months, and of those too who have not had their courses; and (as for) the pregnant women, their prescribed time is that they lay down their burden; and whoever is careful of (his duty to) Allah He will make easy for him his affair. Quran 65:4 This verse is in reference to Iddat (العدة‎), which is a waiting period a female must observe before she can remarry. According to this verse, the stipulated waiting period for a divorced girl who has not yet menstruated is three months. Muhammad and Pedophilia The most stringent clinical definition of pedophilia in the DSM-IV-TR A. Over a period of at least six months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children (generally age 13 years or younger). B. The person has acted on these sexual urges, or the sexual urges or fantasies caused marked distress or interpersonal difficulty. C. The person is at least age 16 years and at least 5 years older than the child or children in Criterion A. Note: This does not include an individual in late adolescence involved in an ongoing sexual relationship with a 12- or 13-year-old. PsychiatryOnline - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Muhammad was engaged to Aisha when she was only 6 year old and he was 51, and consummated the marriage while she was still prepubescent, aged 9 lunar years old. Muhammad's Companions and Pedophilia In the early 7th century was pedophilia was common. Some companions of Muhammad also engaged in pedophilia. Umar, the 2nd caliph of Islam, married Umm Kulthum when she was 10-12 years old. Some sources even say that she was five years old when Umar married her.

[@kidslovesatan34]

Kebab - what is the penalty in Islam for apostasy? Thank you.

[@mrpterodactyl2688]

@@ministryofarguments5257 No, no, no. Not what is culturally acceptable to happen to you is the U.S., what will happen to you in Islam if you are an apostate? Say in a Islamic theocracy.

[@mrpterodactyl2688]

@@ministryofarguments5257 Is the U.S. a theocracy? Only in countries where the state is run by the quran is punishments for being an apostate a thing. Theocracies are absolute hellholes whether ran via the quran or the bible.

[@mrpterodactyl2688]

@@ministryofarguments5257 Was in the army during OEF, been there done that. I know full well what a hellhole a theocracy is. Any government where you can be prosecuted because the writings in an old book of fables is never a good place to live. Sorry you live in lala land and the best you can offer is an argument from incredulity. There are plenty of places you can go online to find not just stories but video evidence of apostates and homosexuals being murdered in state condoned killings, done on the street in broad view of a cheering public. Iran is by far the worst culprit, but there are several others that are well known for their human rights violations.

[@seasonedbeefs]

He looks at baboons and sees Gawd lmao

[@geezzerboy]

Does he think god created the phone and computer he is using?

[@Rob-fc9wg]

Every word in the bible is absolutely true! When those words form sentences is when the 🐂💩 starts.

[@scamchan]

When a GOD can create everything but a perfect book

[@rayxav]

Weak arguments, as almost always.

[@davidmthorley]

Another “Look at the trees” caller lol. Why do theists continue to think these arguments are convincing?

[@Mikorator64]

trees = god

[@BoogieBoogsForever]

Great to see Matt when he was a cooler cucumber...

[@slimjim227]

Now that the mountain of ignorant, superstitious, religious belief has been eroded by the river of education and rationality, it has been revealed as nothing more substantial than sand. And what does the bible say about building your house(of beliefs) on sand? . . .

[@alittleofeverything4190]

These callers are not educated.

[@acgsmith6853]

Denzel Washington calls the Atheist Experience. Just sayin'.

[@darionsteele672]

He sounds like Anthony Mackie.

[@RRHINE13]

The biggest reason Brandon and others cling to the bible is because they are afraid of dying.

[@davidlockett4207]

Let's Go Brandon!

[@k1ln1k37]

Food for thought: we could write a modern Bible. Start with a believable beginning (no magic snakes). Make the God moral. Make him love and save everybody and have a happy ending. Catalogue all of "god's" commands and write them down. We have the technology today to ensure that thousands of years from now people will know where this new Bible came from. It would be perfectly moral, and no one would question its accuracy or the integrity of the writings because we made sure to make plenty of copies and made them easy to source if you speak any language that existed in 2022 or any language that derived from active languages from when it was written. We could correct all of these flaws found in Christianity, by 4000 (or hell, even by 2100) we'd have a much better documented religion, and nothing would change because we still can't demonstrate that the source was divine at all. Appealing to the paperwork gets you nowhere even you fix all the problems. Full stop.

[@veronicats100]

So now you guys are censoring what is true. SMH!

[@charlesgentry38]

Bible truth doesn’t hold up in reality.

[@tyrionlannister3459]

Nothing this caller makes sense. Unless nonsense is counted, then it's perfectly legitimate. Another wasted adult human brain.

[@kevinhooper8859]

He is so ignorant of his own religion and book.

[@auseryt]

I don't understand it. It must be magic. Sometimes devil's work so let's burn the witch. I wonder when mankind grows up.

[@petyrkowalski9887]

So poor Brandon has fallen into the simple-minded trap of “creation” and confirmation bias.

[@OzienPlays]

nothing is "created" not even a car, they are designed by reorganization of existing matter and the universe looks exactly like I would expect it to look if it's composed of matter and energy influenced mostly by known forces, still lots to learn, and nothing about it looks designed except what humans have done. Humans are much more amazing.

[@andrewsgaming8230]

I can accept that maybe there’s a creator. But how am I to know which one is correct? And how can god exist without being created? That doesn’t add up. You can’t prove it. And even if one is real doesn’t mean I want to serve it because I disagree with the tenants. But also, when he compares Islam to Christianity, and says look at the Bible, a Muslim would look at the Bible and call it nonsense. Every religion is so bided and their book is the only right one. That’s why I’m unconcerned.

[@squatter2983]

Actual feeble intellect type.= Brandon

[@barkYdarkATFB]

Not feeble at all. He actually sounds relatively intelligent. But, he does sound like he’s been raised up within a particular social group that taught him to believe certain things. Indoctrinated. When, as a child, you’re taught that god and jesus love you… then later, that the bible is the actual words of god… then later that you will go to hell if you don’t stick to the plan… by the time you’re in high school the belief is absolutely ingrained, established in your way of thinking. It doesn’t make you less intelligent. You might graduate summa cum laude, but still believe in a god. When it’s all around you… family, school, social times, you don’t really consider any other way of thinking.

[@kishintuchis4133]

THE MAJOR PROBLEM FOR CHRISTIANITY IS THAT , EVEN IF JESUS WAS A REAL PERSON , THAT FACT IS TOTALLY IRRELEVENT TO THEIR RELIGION . CHRISTIANITY IS BASED ON JESUS BEING GOD , NOT THAT A PERSON NAMED JESUS LIVED IN THE JUDEA OF SOME 2000 YEARS AGO . JESUS WAS NOT A GOD . NO GOD , NOT ONE OF THE 23,000+ GODS IN HUMAN HISTORY , WAS REAL

[@Yemeth42pis]

Why are you screaming though ?

[@harkema8090]

Look at cyanide, look at carbo mono oxide, look at lead, look at sulfur, look at your toe nails ( need to be clipped once and a while )look at phosphor, look at the optician ( millions went to him for this great creation of the eyes )look at stomach acid!, look at salmonella, look at black fungus, look at radio active material ( not too long! ), look at methanol and do not drink it.

[@responsestability8376]

Carbo mono oxide? Lol what's that.. also why am i looking at the optician?

[@harkema8090]

@@responsestability8376 carbon monoxide...at the optician you are looking at screens checking these perfect created eyes..carbon monoxide is so perfectly created it will kill you softly when inhaled...

[@juangarza320]

@@harkema8090 look at oxigen We technically need it to live and yet it was the cause of one of the biggest massive extintions.

[@responsestability8376]

@@harkema8090 uh. Ok. Im not sure how i feel about how u said that. But our eyes are perfectly created? Hmm interesting. I wonder why people need glasses.. i really hate needing to respond with such stupid things but it's like i HAVE to with what I'm responding to. Regroup. Why do people need glasses then

[@harkema8090]

@@responsestability8376 eyes perfectly created is somewhat said in sarcastic way. Actually I am meaning the opposite of perfect!

[@jackstevenson4679]

Tubby Matt was much friendlier lol

[@richiejohnson]

Well, Jack, you can't insult Matt's intelligence and expect him to shuck and shuffle pleasantly

[@jackstevenson4679]

@@richiejohnson I get that but he's a dick and I've fooled him so many times it's not funny. Yesterday we had a scuffle and talked over me was blatantly incorrect. I'm not saying Matt isn't smart but he not well informed about health issues. Religion or the Bible he's a master

[@jackstevenson4679]

@@richiejohnson but since you are defending him. Tell me...when has the Covie mortality rate been at 5%? Please provide this for me. I've asked him and he can't either.

[@richiejohnson]

@@jackstevenson4679 I haven't been following your career, sorry. I'm not looking for health information from Matt. Why bother with him if he is a dick?

[@jackstevenson4679]

@@richiejohnson I was an avid listener and a fan. No more. He told a blatant lie during our call yesterday and then tried to me make me look like the dumbass after I called him on his bullshit. I literally had the statistics right in front of me. Matt said that Covid mortality rate started at 5% and has dropped to 2.5%. This is demonstrably incorrect. At its height the mortality rate never reached 1%. To be fair I think it was somewhere around 0.05 and right now it's 0.0175. He full of shit about anything other than his wheelhouse which is disproving religion.

[@dukeemzworth3005]

God of the gaps ... again.

[@AngelaMStovall]

What is wrong with this caller my aunt retired from Chrysler my brother in law is getting ready to retire from Ford's I have multiple friends that retired from Ford's my niece & sister in law STILL work at Ford's my brother in law, the other one lol, retired but cut steel to make the cars my grandfather retired from Firestone making THE DAMN TIRES FOR THE CARS OMFG I'm so frustrated with this idiotic statement of nonliving things creating blah blah blah I can't even be on this planet anymore I'm leaving with the professor!!!!

[@alfresco8442]

I worship the god of snowflakes. They are clearly intricately designed, each one is unique and each one is created afresh...it's not like they breed and pass on their characteristics. Clearly there is a god creating each and every one of them on the fly.

[@ajclements4627]

I worship the sun, and pray to Joe Pesci.

[@alfresco8442]

@@ajclements4627 You and George Carlin. Joe Pesci looks like a guy who can get things done. ;)

[@ajclements4627]

@@alfresco8442 It’s amazing what you can do with a baseball bat.

[@AllThroughALife]

@@ministryofarguments5257 - If only you realized that you're just a guy on the Internet, too. The difference is that Dillahunty uses his mind to explore concepts while you simply defer to the Bible without questioning it.

[@alfresco8442]

@@ministryofarguments5257 I'm flattered by all your attention, but you're really not my type; and I'm already spoken for. Try Tinder or your local gay bar.

[@chudleyflusher748]

The unfortunate gentleman has a smooth brain. His cortex has fewer convolutions and thusly, less surface area for brain cells. It’s genetic and can’t be helped.

[@artistjoh]

Matt inadvertently repeats a fallacy here. In drawing a comparison with Hitler, due to the time passed since death, he says that we have far more records in modern times. This confuses the amount of records we have of Hitler now, with the number of records that exist NOW of the decades after Jesus supposedly died. At the time there would have been plenty of records available. There may have been less in outright quantity due to the quantity of media and other recording methods, but there was no shortage of records back then. Ancient writers constantly refer to documents and other records they have accessed while researching their books, and it can be frustrating that those records no longer exist, but knowing they once did. It is damning of the books of the Bible that they utterly fail to either reference existing records of the time, or get them wrong, and that events they mention appear to be unknown to people writing actual historic or current events at the time. Even objective reality in the form of geography does not match the well known historic geography of the region. We might not have access to the copious record keeping of the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Persians, Phoenicians, etc, but back then, documentary records were produced in large numbers, and the disconnect between the stories in the Bible and documented reality is very telling. No wonder these books disagree on fundamental issues such as when Jesus was born (around 4BCE or around 10CE? Was he born in a stables or a room in a house? Did his ministry last for one year or three years? Did it start with overturning the tables of the money changers or end with that event? Did he go to Egypt or did he go to Nazareth? And what about the other 40 gospels that at one time or other formed part of the Bible for individual sects, each of which claimed they had the one true word of god? And what about known forgeries such as the ending of Mark, or more than half of the epistles of Paul? In saying that the Bible is consistent, this guy clearly knows nothing of Bible history, nor of any thoughts from outside his sect. He apparently prefers a certain flavor of mythology over reality. The only consistency in the Bible is its inconsistency.

[@Gwaithmir]

What evidence do you have that any of these presently unavailable ancient sources made references to Jesus?

[@MG-ot2yr]

Yea I'm curious too, what records are you referring to that no longer exist?

[@winniepuuh7895]

The statements about Herod or the census are further examples of the untenability of the biblical fables. In particular, the absurd description of the census that obliged Mary and Joseph to make their journey is puzzling. Roman law, customs and traditions were common throughout the known world 2000 years ago. Nevertheless, the authors of the stories did not know many things that were common knowledge at the time of the alleged writing. For example, when was the reign of Herod the Great, or that participation in a census under Roman law, always took place at the place of residence and not at the place of birth. These gaps in knowledge can actually only be explained in two ways: either the tales were written down by someone who was outside Roman spheres of influence - but where should that have been? - or, and this is the most probable variant, the texts were written much later than the sects claim.

[@artistjoh]

@@Gwaithmir You misunderstand. I am pointing out that there were copious records of real events at the time. The fact that neither Biblical writers nor independent writers mention any that pertain to Jesus suggests that they did not exist. I have no idea if Jesus did exist, was made up whole cloth, or is based on some other person who existed around the time, or even earlier, but the lack of reference to documentary records by New Testament writers, and the great likelihood that such records would have been available had Jesus been real, to me, makes it highly unlikely that he existed as a popular guru at all. Especially since these writers take pains to pretend to comb through records to find genealogies and prophesies, yet don’t bother about records of executions, major Jewish trials, and the numerous accounts that would have been written about hundreds of zombies rising out of graves half rotted and walking around a large city, and never looking for records of what happened to them afterward. The zombies, earthquakes, sun going out for a long period wouldn’t just be in written records, they would be the number one topic of conversation throughout the empire, but no mention of records and news reports. Zero, zilch, nada, kind of like they didn’t exist, kind of like they never happened.

[@MG-ot2yr]

@@artistjoh Exactly, and also some of his alleged miracles had thousands in attendance, the Bible depicts Jesus as being pretty well known throughout the area, many traveling long distances for his healing powers. Yet not a bit of any of these claims were documented at the time, nor even referenced the documents later. Means one of two things, either Jesus was just a regular guy, your average dime a dozen itinerant preacher common in the era, nothing unique about him to write about, or he didn't exist.